Author |
Message |
herbsflat4 Samba Member
Joined: February 20, 2012 Posts: 159 Location: Greenville, SC
|
Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2013 10:43 am Post subject: BMW Seats with integrated airbags? |
|
|
I have tried to search on the topic of using aftermarket seats in buggies and haven't been able to find much.
I have my eyes on some BMW seats out of a E90 (Saloon) M3. I don't know the exact year but the ad on CL states trim levels 325i, 328i, and 330i years 2006-2012.
I dont know anything about the airbags though. How they mount, how do they wire up?
I have called BMW and hopefully will be able to spec with a technician there but until then I am looking for some help here please.
Can I remove the seat mounted airbags?
Are there documents available online about possibly replacing the airbags? Or can I leave then installed and forget about them since I wont be wiring the airbags up anyways?
Or am I just getting in over my head and need to wait on some non-airbag equipped seats?
Has anyone dealt with airbag equipped seats before?
Thanks in advance. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
btonns Samba Member
Joined: May 07, 2009 Posts: 97 Location: Cincinnati, OH
|
Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2013 10:59 am Post subject: |
|
|
If I were you, I would look into Vader seats from an E36 M3. They came in 1995-1999 M3 Sport models. Sport models only came in 2 door. The seats come in manual or power, heated or non-heated. Most years were made of nappa leather. There was a shortage one year, but I cannot remember.
I have a 1997 M3 and my seats are even more comfortable than my PRP Roadsters in my buggy.
If you need measurements of the seats, I can get them for you.
Also, check out bimmerforums.com in their classified section for used seats. There are plenty of people parting out cars on that forum. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
hotrod100 Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2011 Posts: 77 Location: Bullhead City, AZ.
|
Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2013 1:00 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I would not use the seat air bags. At a minimum you will need a sensing and diagnostic module, multiple impact sensors, complete harness and even after all that it still won't work since it also needs to communicate with the BCM and ECM over the CAN network. I also think it would be really unsafe since the bags are designed for the interior shape of a specific vehicle. _________________ My build thread http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482400 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Letterman7 Samba Member
Joined: March 14, 2004 Posts: 3198 Location: Downingtown, PA
|
Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2013 1:39 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Use 'em and forget about the airbags. As hotrod stated, airbags rely on multiple sensors to activate. Clip the wires off so they don't accidentally deploy if for some reason a current gets to the wire. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
didget69 Samba Member
Joined: July 22, 2004 Posts: 4927 Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
|
Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2013 2:33 pm Post subject: |
|
|
An upholstery shop could remove the airbags - but BMW seats will probably be too large to fit into the buggy. _________________ I never found the need to impress people with any mechanic certifications, trophies or track wins... unless it was for Mom to post on the refrigerator door. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
slalombuggy Samba Member
Joined: July 17, 2010 Posts: 9147 Location: Canada
|
Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2013 2:42 pm Post subject: |
|
|
didget69 wrote: |
An upholstery shop could remove the airbags - but BMW seats will probably be too large to fit into the buggy. |
AND HEAVY. There is way lighter seats out here to put in your car. As far as airbags. If you don't know anything about them, leave them alone. Find someone who knows about them and have them removed if you use the seats. There is nothing special you need to set off an airbag. An inertia switch, a 12V power source and 2 wires going to the bag. BOOOOOOM. Bag inflated faster than you can blink.
brad |
|
Back to top |
|
|
kustoms Samba Member
Joined: November 20, 2003 Posts: 1313
|
Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2013 2:52 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I am pretty sure they are too wide. We would charge $100.00 per seat to remove them and fill the void. You most definitely do not want to wire them in to the buggy. BTW if you add a power and ground to the two leads it’s all over. Air bags are extremely dangerous. Do a YouTube search to see the power they have. _________________ Google this.
"Bread and Circuses"
And wondering what the heck happen to my Samba post count?!?
Tom Thompson
Tijuana Kustoms Inc. (TM)
1-516-338-8746
www.tjkustoms.com |
|
Back to top |
|
|
herbsflat4 Samba Member
Joined: February 20, 2012 Posts: 159 Location: Greenville, SC
|
Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2013 6:38 pm Post subject: Seats |
|
|
btonns - I will have to do some more searching on those seats and on the link. If it is convenient, please let me know what size seat widths you used.
hotrod - I should have mentioned that I in no way intend to "hook up" and activate the airbags. I am just interested in the seats because they have power controls, heat, leather and seem like a good option.
letterman - I want to do what you mentioned. Install them and be totally comfortable with myself knowing that because the airbags AREN'T "wired" up and the sensors AREN'T in place that the airbags will never go off. But, I can't really come to terms with that yet because I dont know enough about the wiring or the setup of the airbags.
didget69 - I wasn't sure if upholstery shops would touch airbags.
slalombuggy - I didn't really think about the weight. I imagine that all the motors, wiring, airbags, etc stack up the weight quick.....I think I will be moving on to different seats based on the replies here anyways. I dont feel comfortable with the airbags mounted in the seats.
kustoms - That is good to know. $100 per seat really jacks the overall price up on them. The owner of the seats did however measure them for me. He stated "The tops are 18 inches wide and the bottom near the controls and the plastics cover is around 19.5 inches wide." So it would be really close fit. Even if I got them mounted I probably wont be able to get my hand between the buggy and the seats to use the switches.
I guess it is back to more searching. I appreciate the help you guys.
I just want to get setup on some heated, leather seats of good quality.
Last edited by herbsflat4 on Fri Jan 04, 2013 7:14 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
Back to top |
|
|
rmckay Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2011 Posts: 182 Location: Fairfax, Virginia
|
Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2013 6:49 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Look at Miata seats. They are pretty easy to find and fit great in a buggy. _________________ -------------------------
63 California Clipper
"The trouble with quotes on the Internet is that you can never know if they are genuine." --Abraham Lincoln |
|
Back to top |
|
|
GPM Samba Member
Joined: February 21, 2008 Posts: 133 Location: Leicestershire, UK
|
Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2013 2:30 am Post subject: |
|
|
Have you considered fitting a pair of seats and then using an aftermarket kit to provide the heated bit? Not sure on availability over the pond but the likes of Waeco do some decent kits |
|
Back to top |
|
|
herbsflat4 Samba Member
Joined: February 20, 2012 Posts: 159 Location: Greenville, SC
|
Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2013 10:02 am Post subject: seats |
|
|
Yes. I have read through kustoms build a few times and saw where he installed some seat heaters.
I am trying to track down a decent set of Miata seats somewhat locally to Charlotte NC now. Then I will just try to find some heaters to install. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
kustoms Samba Member
Joined: November 20, 2003 Posts: 1313
|
Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2013 10:12 am Post subject: |
|
|
We sell them when you find some seats. _________________ Google this.
"Bread and Circuses"
And wondering what the heck happen to my Samba post count?!?
Tom Thompson
Tijuana Kustoms Inc. (TM)
1-516-338-8746
www.tjkustoms.com |
|
Back to top |
|
|
joescoolcustoms Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2006 Posts: 9054 Location: West By God Virginia
|
Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2013 10:13 am Post subject: |
|
|
kustoms wrote: |
We sell them when you find some seats. |
Just what do you not sell? Cheap advice? _________________ Bad News Racing 2018 NORRA 1000 3rd in Class
Best Day Ever Racing 2022 NORRA 1000 2nd in Class and first All Female team to complete the race
Everyone is gifted. Some just do not open the package.
Looks like it was painted with a live chicken,polished with a brick and buffed with a pine cone |
|
Back to top |
|
|
kustoms Samba Member
Joined: November 20, 2003 Posts: 1313
|
Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2013 10:38 am Post subject: |
|
|
joescoolcustoms wrote: |
kustoms wrote: |
We sell them when you find some seats. |
Just what do you not sell? Cheap advice? |
LOL, My vote! _________________ Google this.
"Bread and Circuses"
And wondering what the heck happen to my Samba post count?!?
Tom Thompson
Tijuana Kustoms Inc. (TM)
1-516-338-8746
www.tjkustoms.com |
|
Back to top |
|
|
vincent9993 Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2006 Posts: 2025 Location: Montreal
|
Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2013 5:07 pm Post subject: Re: seats |
|
|
herbsflat4 wrote: |
Yes. I have read through kustoms build a few times and saw where he installed some seat heaters.
I am trying to track down a decent set of Miata seats somewhat locally to Charlotte NC now. Then I will just try to find some heaters to install. |
kustoms wrote: |
We sell them when you find some seats. |
We have a set of Tom's seat heaters, we will be doing a "how to" thread shortly. Tom's kit is very nice and complete, comes with control and all.
The best part is you get support from Tom and he'll walk you through the process. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
vincent9993 Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2006 Posts: 2025 Location: Montreal
|
Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2013 5:11 pm Post subject: Re: seats |
|
|
herbsflat4 wrote: |
Yes. I have read through kustoms build a few times and saw where he installed some seat heaters.
I am trying to track down a decent set of Miata seats somewhat locally to Charlotte NC now. Then I will just try to find some heaters to install. |
kustoms wrote: |
We sell them when you find some seats. |
We have a set of Tom's seat heaters, we will be doing a "how to" thread shortly. Tom's kit is very nice and complete, comes with control and all.
The best part is you get support from Tom and he'll walk you through the process. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Hank22 Samba Member
Joined: March 16, 2004 Posts: 452 Location: Inside the pizza oven
|
Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2013 5:27 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Tom
what hours do you keep, I stopped by a few saturdays ago and you were shut tight. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
EVfun Samba Member
Joined: April 01, 2012 Posts: 5481 Location: Seattle
|
Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2013 6:30 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Hate to break it to ya, but the blondes stay with the BMW, they don't go with the seats they where sitting in. _________________
Wildthings wrote: |
As a general rule, cheap parts are the most expensive parts you can buy. |
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
joescoolcustoms Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2006 Posts: 9054 Location: West By God Virginia
|
Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2013 6:54 pm Post subject: |
|
|
EVfun wrote: |
Hate to break it to ya, but the blondes stay with the BMW, they don't go with the seats they where sitting in. |
Now that is funny!
That is right up there with Tom's pawn & gun auto parts pharmaceutical adult gift bait and tackle discount cigarette outlet that sells whatever it takes to get you through the day. _________________ Bad News Racing 2018 NORRA 1000 3rd in Class
Best Day Ever Racing 2022 NORRA 1000 2nd in Class and first All Female team to complete the race
Everyone is gifted. Some just do not open the package.
Looks like it was painted with a live chicken,polished with a brick and buffed with a pine cone |
|
Back to top |
|
|
kustoms Samba Member
Joined: November 20, 2003 Posts: 1313
|
Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2013 6:47 am Post subject: |
|
|
Pssst...Hey Joe, I got this sweet Rolex for sale. Just 20 bucks. _________________ Google this.
"Bread and Circuses"
And wondering what the heck happen to my Samba post count?!?
Tom Thompson
Tijuana Kustoms Inc. (TM)
1-516-338-8746
www.tjkustoms.com |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|